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Monitoring forest carbon sequestration with remote sensing and carbon cycle modeling
David P Turner1, Michael Guzy, Michael A Lefsky
1Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5752, USA. david.turner@oregonstate.edu
Environmental Management
|September 30, 2004
Summary
Forest management significantly impacts carbon storage. This study used satellite data and models to show that harvested forests in Oregon
Area of Science:
- Forestry
- Ecology
- Remote Sensing
Background:
- Forest carbon dynamics are influenced by management practices and productivity.
- Satellite remote sensing offers spatial data on land cover and harvesting.
- Carbon cycle models predict production and decomposition rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare carbon flux in two distinct forest management areas in western Oregon from 1992-1997.
- To integrate remote sensing and modeling for spatially explicit carbon storage and flux analysis.
- To identify mechanisms driving land-based carbon flux.
Main Methods:
- Utilized satellite remote sensing for land cover, stand age, and harvesting data.
- Employed carbon-cycle process models with regional climate data.
- Integrated both datasets to analyze carbon storage and flux over two 165-km2 areas.
Main Results:
- The Coast Range (private land, timber production) experienced 17% harvest (1991-2000), with harvest removals exceeding net ecosystem production.
- Younger, productive stands in the Coast Range acted as a carbon sink.
- The West Cascades (public land, less harvesting) showed minimal harvest (<1%) and overall carbon accumulation.
Conclusions:
- Management regimes critically determine forest carbon sinks and sources.
- Spatially explicit analysis reveals differing carbon dynamics between private and public forest lands.
- Integrated remote sensing and modeling effectively identify drivers of forest carbon flux.